• IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is the language of communication.
• IELTS is jointly owned by three international organisations British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL).
• IELTS conforms to the highest international standards of language assessment. It covers the four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking.
• IELTS encourages, reflects and tests English as it is used in work, study and life. This real life authenticity gives you a personal and valid indicator of just how good you are!

Global IELTS recognition:

• IELTS is recognised by employers in many countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA.
• IELTS is recognised by over 6000 educational institutions all over the world: almost all higher educational institutions in the UK and over 3,000 in the USA, including prestigious Ivy League colleges.
• IELTS is recognised by government agencies and professional bodies all over the world.
• IELTS is required by the immigration authorities of Australia, New Zealand and Canada for immigration purposes.
• IELTS (band 6.5 and more) is required by the Home Office in the UK as a language qualification for people applying for British citizenship.

Institution	Country
Academy of Information Technology	Australia
Australian Medical Council	Australia
University of Melbourne	Australia
University of Vienna	Austria
US Software Limited	Bangladesh
Bank of Cyprus	Cyprus
University of Copenhagen	Denmark
University of Helsinki	Finland
Paris University	France
Hamburg University	Germany
Köln University	Germany
Bologna University	Italy
University of Rome	Italy
Shell International	Netherlands
University of Amsterdam	Netherlands
University of the Hague	Netherlands
Utrecht University	Netherlands
Nursing Council of New Zealand	New Zealand
University of Oslo	Norway
Centralny Zarzad Poczty Polskiej	Poland
Politechnika Krakowska	Poland
Uniwersytet Jagielloński	Poland
Ministerstwo Edukacji Narodowej	Poland
Politechnika Warszawska	Poland
University of Lisbon	Portugal
National University of Ireland	Republic of Ireland
University of Ljubljana	Slovenia
Malmo University	Sweden
University of Zurich	Switzerland
Istambul University	Turkey
Turkish Airlines (THY)	Turkey
Cambridge University	UK
Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design	UK
London College of Fashion	UK
London School of Economics	UK
London University of the Arts	UK
University of London	UK
University of Manchester	UK
University of Oxford	UK
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank	United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Ltd, (GASCO)	United Arab Emirates
Boston University	USA
Harvard University	USA
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	USA
Metropolitan College of New York	USA
Princeton University	USA
Trinity University	USA
University of California, Los Angeles	USA
Yale University	USA
American Veterinary Medical Association,	USA
Coca Cola Inc	Vietnam

The table above presents a sample of renowned institutions that recognize IELTS. A full list of institutions recognizing IELTS is available on the British Council Take IELTS website.

IELTS recognition in Poland:

• IELTS (5.0 - 6.0 points) is acknowledged by the Ministry of Education as proven language skills required from people who wish to become English teachers in preschools and classes 1 to 3 in primary schools as well as teachers of subjects taught in English excluding English lessons in bilingual schools.
  Apart from the above mentioned qualifications such a person must meet other criteria and conditions referred to in the directive.
• IELTS (6.5 points and more) is acknowledged by the Ministry of Education as proven language skills required from people who wish to become English teachers in preschools, primary schools, lower secondary schools, vocational schools, high schools, specialized secondary schools, technical high schools, supplementary high schools, supplementary technical high schools, schools of FE, teaching libraries and other educational institutions.
  Apart from the above mentioned qualifications such a person must meet other criteria and conditions referred to in the directive.
• IELTS (over 6) is accepted by the Polish Civil Service Office as an English language qualification required from Polish civil servants.
• IELTS is recognised by the Polish Ministry of Education (6.0 points and more) as a language qualification for tour guides.
• IELTS (above 6.0 points) can exempt you from the final language exam at the end of the PhD programme
• IELTS is recognised by many Polish Universities including:

University	City
Akademia Marynarki Wojennej im. Bohaterów Westerplatte	Gdynia
Akademia Medyczna	Białystok
Akademia Muzyczna im. Grażyny i Kiejstuta Bacewiczów	Łódź
Akademia Rolnicza	Szczecin
Akademia Rolnicza	Wrocław
Akademia Sztuk Pięknych	Wrocław
Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego i Sportu im. Jędrzeja Śniadeckiego	Gdańsk
Bielska Wyższa Szkoła Biznesu i Informatyki im. J. Tyszkiewicza	Bielsko-Biała
Collegium Civitas	Warszawa
Gdańska Wyższa Szkoła Humanistyczna	Gdańsk
Górnośląska Wyższa Szkoła Przedsiębiorczości im. Karola Goduli	Chorzów
Kolegium Nauczycielskie im. Grzegorza Piramowicza	Wrocław
Krakowska Wyższa Szkoła Promocji Zdrowia	Kraków
Łużycka Wyższa Szkoła Humanistyczna	Żary
NNKJO	Kraków
NNKJO	Łomża
Państwowa Wyższa Szkoła	Chełm
Państwowa Wyższa Szkoła Zawodowa	Elbląg
Politechnika Częstochowska	Czestochowa
Politechnika Białostocka	Białystok
Politechnika Opolska	Opole
Politechnika Śląska	Katowice
Politechnika Świętokrzyska	Kielce
Nauczycielskie Kolegium Języków Obcych	Chojnice
Prywatna Wyższa Szkoła Ochrony Środowiska	Radom
Prywatna Wyższa Szkoła Zawodowa	Giżycko
Salezjaska Wyższa Szkoła Ekonomii i Zarządzania	Łódź
Szkoła Wyższa Psychologii Społecznej	Warszawa
Uniwersytet Łódzki	Łódź
Uniwersytet Zielonogórski	Zielona Góra
Wielkopolska Wyższa Szkoła Humanistyczno-Ekonomiczna	Jarocin
Wyższa Szkoła Agrobiznesu	Łomża
Wyższa Szkoła Biznesu	Dąbrowa Górnicza
Wyższa Szkoła Ekologii i Zarządzania	Warszawa
Wyższa Szkoła Ekonomii i Informatyki	Kraków
Wyższa Szkoła Gospodarki Krajowej	Kutno
Wyższa Szkoła Handlu i Rachunkowości	Poznań
Wyższa Szkoła Handlowa	Piotrków Trybunalski
Wyższa Szkoła Handlu i Prawa im. Ryszarda Łazarskiego	Warszawa
Wyższa Szkoła Humanistyczno-Ekonomiczna	Brzeg
Wyższa Szkoła Humanistyczno-Przyrodnicza. Studium Generale Sandomiriense	Sandomierz
Wyższa Szkoła Przedsiębiorczości i Administracji	Lublin
Wyższa Szkoła Zarządzania	Gdańsk
Wyższa Szkoła Zarządzania Gospodarką Regionalną i Turystyką	Kielce
Wyższa Szkoła Zarządzania Ochroną Pracy	Katowice
Zespół Kolegiów Nauczycielskich	Koszalin

IELTS is available in two modules: Academic and General Training. The choice of the test version depends on the requirements of the institution you are applying for.

• Academic module is recommended for candidates planning to study in English at an undergraduate or postgraduate level.
• General Training is suitable for candidates who are going to English speaking countries to undertake work experience or training programmes not at degree level, or for immigration purposes to Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

IELTS is composed of four modules (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) and is available in two versions: Academic and General Training. The choice of the test version depends on the requirements of a given institution.

You can take IELTS at British Council offices in Warsaw and Kraków, as well as in examination centres in Gdańsk, Lublin, Poznań, Wrocław and in Szczecin. The test can also be conducted at other venues at the request of an institution registering a large group of candidates. For more details contact:

British Council Warsaw
Integrated Customer Services
Al. Jerozolimskie 59
00-697 Warszawa
Tel: (00 48) (22) 695 59 00
E-mail: IELTS.Warsaw@britishcouncil.pl  

British Council Kraków
Examination Services
Rynek Główny 6 (1^st Floor)
31-042 Kraków
Tel: (00 48) (12) 428 59 36 or 428 59 37
E-mail: IELTS.Cracow@britishcouncil.pl

In oder to check day and time of the IELTS test session in 2012 please go to the ExamFinder to get all the information you need.

Important! IELTS will be organised on the day and time indicated by the ExamFinder if a minimum of 10 candidates register for the test. If fewer than 10 candidates apply, they are entitled to:

• a transfer to the next available test date,
• reimbursement of the full exam fee (100%).

The decision as to whether to sit the examination or apply for reimbursement rests with the candidate.

The speaking module may be taken in the period of seven days before or after the written test.

In order to register for the IELTS test you should:

1.Enter your personal data into the candidates’ on-line database in the registration system on https://ielts.britishcouncil.org/poland. Please bear in mind that sessions will not be visible in the system after the deadline for registration.

2. Submit 1 recent, good quality, ID document size, colour photograph to the examination centre (personally or by post) no later than 5 days after registering for the test (the photograph should be legibly signed with the name and surname of the candidate as well as the test date the candidate wishes to register for.)

3.Deposit the required fee of 620 PLN according to the instructions given in the registration system no later than 5 days after registering for the test.

When completing the section of your payment slip entitled "Tytułem" use the following descriptions:

IELTS/ Centre Name/Candidate’s Name and Surname/date of exam, e.g. : IELTS/KRA/ PAWEŁ KOMAR/7/01/06.

In making payments from outside Poland precede the bank account number with the letters PL and the Swift code CITIPLPX. If you wish to pay in GBP, contact us: IELTS@britishcouncil.pl

All bank charges must be paid by the candidate.

Candidates who do not observe the procedures stated in points 1-3 above will not be entered for the IELTS test on the chosen date and their personal data will be deleted from the candidates’ database in the on-line registration system.

Documents you might need during registration:

• IELTS Regulations for 2012
• IELTS Payment Slip
• Statement concerning personal data protection
• Request for invoice – individual candidates
• Request for invoice - company
• Regulations for the electronic provision of services
• Notice to Candidates

1.Candidates with special needs requiring the adaptation of test papers (e.g. hearing/sight impairment), should submit their application for special arrangements complete with medical evidence to the British Council no later than 3 months before the test date. *

2.Candidates with special needs requiring administrative changes (e.g. extra examination time, the use of headphones, computer, etc.) should submit their application for special arrangements complete with medical evidence to the British Council no later than 6 weeks before the test date. *

3.Candidates with dyslexia, dysgraphy or dysorthography should submit a report provided by a fully qualified educational, clinical or chartered psychologist no later than 6 weeks before the test date.  The medical evidence must:

• be in the form of a report prepared in a period no more than two years prior to the date of the examination,
• include details of the degree of disability.

* The organisers of the test may not be able to provide the service requested.

If you need more information about special arrangements please, contact British Council offices in Warsaw and Kraków for more details.

1) A candidate who has registered for the IELTS test can apply for:

a) a transfer to a different test date free of charge, observing the deadline for registration.

b) a cancellation of their registration and a refund of 100% of the test fee The person/institution that submitted the fee on behalf of the candidate is entitled to receive a refund.

provided he/she submits a completed official request form (available in the British Council offices in Warsaw or Kraków) to the British Council in Warsaw or Kraków no later than the deadline for application given in the table below.

Test date in 2012	Deadline for submitting form
12/01/2012	06/12/2011
14/01/2012	08/12/2011
21/01/2012	15/12/2011
04/02/2012	23/12/2011
09/02/2012	03/01/2012
18/02/2012	12/01/2012
25/02/2012	19/01/2012
08/03/2012	31/01/2012
10/03/2012	02/02/2012
17/03/2012	09/02/2012
31/03/2012	23/02/2012
12/04/2012	06/03/2012
14/04/2012	08/03/2012
21/04/2012	15/03/2012
10/05/2012	03/04/2012
12/05/2012	04/04/2012
19/05/2012	12/04/2012
26/05/2012	19/04/2012
09/06/2012	30/04/2012
14/06/2012	08/05/2012
16/06/2012	10/05/2012
30/06/2012	24/05/2012
07/07/2012	31/05/2012
12/07/2012	05/06/2012
21/07/2012	14/06/2012
28/07/2012	21/06/2012
01/09/2012	26/07/2012
06/09/2012	31/07/2012
15/09/2012	09/08/2012
22/09/2012	16/08/2012
11/10/2012	04/09/2012
13/10/2012	06/09/2012
27/10/2012	20/09/2012
08/11/2012	02/10/2012
24/11/2012	18/10/2012
01/12/2012	25/10/2012
06/12/2012	30/10/2012
08/12/2012	31/10/2012

2) If the request for refund or transfer of test date is made after the deadline given in the table above, the candidate:

a) is entitled to a transfer to a different test date for an additional fee - 25% of test fee, observing the deadline for registration for a chosen date, if the request is made due to:

• a candidate’s serious illness (e.g. hospital admission)
• death of a close family member
• hardship/trauma, e.g. a traffic accident
• military service

provided he/she submits a completed official request form (available from British Council offices in Warsaw or Kraków) to the British Council in Warsaw or Kraków not later than 5 working days after the original test date for which the candidate was registered.  The request must be supported by appropriate official documentation and/or evidence.  Candidates applying for test date transfer must select a test date within a three-month period from submitting the request.

b) is entitled to cancel their registration and receive a refund of 75% of the test fee if the cancellation is caused by:

• a candidate’s serious illness (e.g. hospital admission)
• death of a close family member
• hardship/trauma, e.g. a traffic accident
• military service

provided he/she submits a completed official request form (available from British Council offices in Warsaw or Kraków) to the British Council in Warsaw or Kraków no later than 5 working days after the original test date for which the candidate was registered. The request must be supported by appropriate official documentation and/or evidence. The person/institution that submitted the fee on behalf of the candidate is entitled to receive a refund.

c) is not entitled to a refund or test date transfer if:

• the cause is different from the ones mentioned above
• the application is not accompanied by appropriate official documentation and/or evidence
• the application is made later than 5 working days after the original test date.

• You will receive information about the test date, time and venue by e-mail approximately 10 days before the test date. This information will also be available on this page.
• The written parts of the IELTS test start at 9:00 a.m and last for about 3 hours (without a break).
• The speaking module may be organised during a period of seven days before or after the written test. Usually it is organised on the day of the written test, however this depends on the number of candidates taking the test on a given date.

• Test results (Test Report Forms - TRF) are sent by post on the 13th day following the test. Results are also available on-line 13 days after the test date.
• We can send 6 copies of the TRF free of charge - one copy for the candidate and up to 5 copies to receiving institutions indicated in the registration system.
• Additional copies of your TRF can be sent directly to institutions on your behalf within the two years of their validity. You can ask for your results to be forwarded by downloading the Application for additional TRFs Form. Complete the form and send it to our office in Warsaw or Kraków. An administrative fee of 20 PLN is charged for the despatch of each additional copy.
• IMPORTANT NOTICE: Some institutions do not receive the paper version of the TRF but download candidates’ IELTS results from an on-line site only. This serves to improve the efficiency of the application processing system. Candidates should, therefore, always inform the receiving institution of the date of their IELTS test.

The IELTS Test Report form includes a candidate’s score, on a Band Scale from 1 to 9 for each module of the test as well as an overall Band Score on a scale from 1 to 9. Each Band corresponds to a descriptive statement giving a summary of English competence. The nine bands and their descriptive statements are:

9 -  Expert User

Has a fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.

8 -  Very Good User

Has a fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.

7 - Good User

Has an operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.

6 - Competent User

Has a generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.

5 - Modest User

Has a partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field.

4 - Limited User

Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has a frequent problem in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.

3 - Extremely Limited User

Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.

2 - Intermittent User

No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.

1 - Non User

Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.

Fourteen young professionals from around the world share their top tips for succeeding in the IELTS test. Watch the videos now!

A preparation course is not a requirement for candidates who want to register for IELTS. However, candidates wishing to receive tuition may attend an IELTS preparation course organised by the British Council in Warsaw and Kraków. For more information contact the British Council English Teaching Centre.

Candidates who have registered for an IELTS test will be given free of charge access to “Road to IELTS” - British Council on-line preparation materials.
The unique password issued at registration will be valid until one week after the date of the written parts of the test.

How to Prepare for IELTS and IELTS Official practice materials (sample test) are available at the British Council in Warsaw and Kraków. The books are also available for reference at the British Council in Warsaw and Kraków and at all British Libraries in Poland (addresses available at http://www.britishcouncil.org/poland-partner-libraries-network.htm).

Find out the IELTS sample papers and read some practical tips and test day advice concerning the IELTS test.

Materials bought in British Council offices cannot be reclaimed.

NEW   Top Tips for IELTS Academic and Top Tips for IELTS General Training with the an attached interactive CD-Rom available from February 2010! You can purchase them from the CamridgeEsol Shop.

Our aim is to continuously improve our services to our customers.  If you should have any suggestions or comments that may help us in this process please contact us.

Any comments you may have concerning the conduct of the examination should be directed to the Supervisor immediately after the examination and in writing to the examination centre staff no later than by the date stated in session regulations.  In the case of the Listening test all comments should be reported at the beginning of the test, after hearing the introductory recording.

Please read our complaints procedure.

COUNCIL OF EUROPE LEVELS

The Council of Europe Common European Framework of Reference is intended to describe the criteria of language knowledge and skills of language learners across Europe. Please find below a comparison of IELTS with the Council of Europe global scale levels.

	Detailed description
A1 Break-through	Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
A2 Waystage	Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
B1 Threshold	Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
B2 Vantage	Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue, giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
C1 Effective Proficiency	Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
C2 Mastery	Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.

For more information please visit the Council of Europe webpage.